Many older and historical homes have beautiful wood or wood enhanced ceilings. Pine ceilings are especially common, especially in homes in the Western United States and in historic cabins throughout the country. Oftentimes, with a little tender loving care, an old pine ceiling can be a beautiful focal point in a room without doing much to enhance it. Creating a style for the rest of the room which works with the pine ceiling can be a bit of a challenge, however. This article will explore five ways to make the most of your wooden ceiling.
Make it Rustic
Pine beams are most often seen crossing the ceilings of rustic homes. Cabin style is right at home under an open beam ceiling, recalling simpler times when most Americans lived in cabins in the woods. In this photo, you can see how the homeowner has integrated several antiques around the giant stone fireplace, as well as a splash of Native American spirit with the woven blanket. Notice how the light color on the walls and floor, as well as an abundance of natural light helps keep the space from feeling too dark or heavy.
Make it Quaint
This pine ceiling is flat, but it makes gives the room a rustic feel with a hint of the Italian countryside. The faux finished wall and soft sage cabinets create a very warm, cozy palette with a few splashes of cool sky blue and sleek white for contrast. In this room, the wall colors (including the sage cabinets, the ecru backsplash and the brown tones in the faux finish) help bring the room together without creating a glaring contrast between the dark ceiling and the very pale floor. While this room still feels a bit top-heavy, the warm, intense colors on the walls help the space feel cozy rather than suffocating.
Make it Historical
This is another example of a flat ceiling, but in this example it’s used very formally in a Colonial styled home. The pristine white moldings around the doors, windows, ceiling and the medallion framing the ceiling fan help delineate the space. The rich federal blue and the soft, warm brown of the pecan colored wood create a very elegant, very formal effect. The gold accents above the windows and doors are matched in the perfectly matching (and perfectly symmetrical) paintings on either side of the double door. The wooden ceiling in this room adds to the respect it commands.
Make it Modern
In this space, the open pine beams make a fantastic geometric background for the modern, pop-art inspired room. The bright, primary colors matched with black and white create a sleek, artistic space balanced with the juxtaposition of the natural, warm wooden columns dividing the space both vertically and horizontally. Geometric and orthogonal patterns often dominate modern spaces and artworks – this homeowner found the modern pattern in the old wood to create a lively, energetic and visually appealing space.
Make it Elegant
In this Craftsman style home, you can see other ways wood can be used to add to the design of a room. The beautiful, darkly stained wood moldings in this room demand respect. Balanced with an art deco color palette evoking both Frank Lloyd Wright and Gustav Klimt, the intricate, elegant patterns created by the ceiling moldings make the room they highlight feel pulled together and polished.
Pine ceilings can appear in many kinds of homes all over the world. Wood, a naturally beautiful material, can look good in any environment and help define both your style and your aesthetic. Good luck bringing your own wood ceiling to life, the beauty it can add to your space is priceless.
Jessica Ackerman from WallDecorandHomeAccents.com generously shares everything she knows about trees wall sculptures and Southwestern metal wall art.
